I was sitting in my office listening to my local NPR station. A newsbreak came in announcing a plane crash in NY, a plane hit the WTC. The first report did not say it was a commercial jet. As more news poured in it was clear that this was not an accident.
Everyone in the office started gathering in the SVP's office where we watched the horror unfold on TV. Aside from the TV there was stunned silence in the room. Many of us, myself included, had tears running down their face.
I was a frequent flier at the time and flew from Boston to California every other week or so. I regularly took that very same non-stop United flight from Boston to LAX. Knowing that I could very easily have been on the flight really brought into focus what is important.
When I saw a group of fire fighters run into one of the towers and shortly after it collapsed I had to leave. I got in my car and drove home to see my family and let them know how much I loved them and what they meant to me.
I didn't find out until the next day that a dear friend of mine who was in the process of re-locating to NY had died in the attack. He had started a new job at Cantor Fitzgerald and was at work when the plane hit. He was coming home the following weekend to get the rest of his stuff and transport it to NY.
R.I.P all of those who died. And for those of us still here, don't forget to tell the ones you love that you do.
Have a peaceful day
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